Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
How do you make sure you are not only reading Scripture, but also pondering and applying it?
In his book Simplify Your Spiritual Life, Donald Whitney describes meditating on Philippians 4:8 and realizing that the verse offers helpful directions for the kinds of things he could meditate on for any passage in the whole Bible.
Here is a list of questions he came up with that can be helpful for meditating on Scripture:
· What is true about this, or what truth does it exemplify?
· What is honourable about this?
· What is right about this?
· What is pure about this, or how does it exemplify purity?
· What is lovely about this?
· What is admirable, commendable, or reputation-strengthening about this?
· What is excellent about this?
· What is praiseworthy about this?
And there you have it – 8 questions that can help guide your meditation.
– Tim Challies (adapted)